If my memory serves correctly, you should be able to get a link to download Van Buren from No Mutants Allowed. It is a TECH demo meaning it was not represetative of a at least 65% done game. It was merely a demostration of the game engine.
On the subject of Fallout 3, I'm not holding my breath. I liked Morrowind and Oblivion had a couple good moments (namely the Dark Brotherhood quests) but honestly Oblivion was like kinda of a step down from some of the things I carried over from Morrowind. Namely, it held your hand all the damn time and spoon fed you information. The quest information was so specific in detail that all it didn't do was complete the quest for you. Hopefully they won't do this in Fallout 3. I'd really hate to have the game pretty much babysit me the entire time.
The Father Disappearing thing? Meh, it works for some games. I think it's a little cliche, but I can let it slide if the execution of the plot is done well enough.
Combat? No, I'm sorry if I want another Post-Apoc FPS I'll play Stalker and it's sequel upon release. The thing with FPS style combat is that twitch gameplay will always be present. You just can't counter it no matter how hard BethSoft claims V.A.T.S. will discourage it. In the end it'll always rely on your personal (not your characters) "SUPAH LEET HALOLZ SKILLZ" to actually hit the target. I'm sorry if this makes your uncomfortable, but I believe in the character's aptitude (or lack thereof) being reliant on the character's own skills and abilities that you chose at creation, not your own personal skills being penalized or enhanced by the character's.
While, yes, I said I enjoyed Morrowind (which is FP hack'n'slash) it isn't Fallout. Fallout was an Isometric, turn-based, action/adventure RPG that was designed to simulate the fun of playing a Pen n' Paper RPG. The character development was done by your character performing well not you performing well. While your personal decisions and strategy (or the lack thereof) affected your characters fate. His ability to effectively use items like weapons relied on his own abilites. A Character with 200% in Small Guns and 50% in Big Guns is going perform far better with an Assault Rifle or Gauss Pistol than with a Bozar or Minigun. However, he still does not rely on your own personal ability to line up the crosshairs on the target.
In the end, I will wait and see...
P.S. If you do not like me, this post, and/or feel compelled to criticize, complain, discuss, or flame me. By all means go ahead, you are entitled to your opinion as much as I am to mine. Just expect me to return the favor for better or for worse.
